“Mike was a generous and caring husband, father and grandfather. He was able to participate in organ donation at the UMMC as a final act of charity,” said his family. “We are supported and built up by the love and prayers of family, friends, Mississippi State University, hospital staff and football fans around the world. Thank you for sharing the joy of life of our beloved husband and father.”
“We are heartbroken and devastated by the death of Mike Leach,” said interim athletic director Bracky Brett. “College football lost one of its most beloved figures today, but his legacy will live forever. Mike’s energetic personality, influential presence and exceptional leadership touched millions of athletes, students, coaches, fans, family and friends for decades.”
Mike Leach dies at the age of 61
“Mike was an innovator, pioneer and visionary. He was a college football icon, a coaching legend, but an even better person. We are all better off knowing Mike Leach. Thoughts and prayers of Mississippi State University and the The entire Bulldog family is with his wife Sharon, his children and the entire Leach family,” said Brett.
Leach started 2020 in Mississippi State and led the Bulldogs to a 19-17 record for the past three seasons. He is known as one of the creators of the pass-heavy attacking offensive that he helped shape at multiple stints over the course of a decade under coach Hal Mumme.
Leach bekam AFCA’s Coach of the Year Award als bester Trainer
Leach attended BYU where he played rugby and graduated in 1983. He began his coaching career at Cal Poly in 1987 and joined the staff at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1989. He got his first FBS job when he went to Kentucky in 1997 and served as the offensive coordinator. He then went to Oklahoma to become offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops in 1999.
Leach got his first head coaching job in 2000 at Texas Tech, where he led the Red Raiders to a decade of lasting success and record-breaking offensive performances. Texas Tech had five top 25 finishes during Leach’s tenure and peaked at number 12 in 2008.
Leach coached Washington State from 2012 to 2019 and led the Cougars to six bowl appearances in eight years. His best season came in 2018, when the Cougars went 11-2 with a win at the Alamo Bowl and 10th in the most recent AP poll, their first top-10 season in 15 years. Leach won the AFCA’s Coach of the Year award as the nation’s top coach for his efforts.
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